PortofaKiwi wrote:

> Is there usually a dog control officer or similar in each area?
Yes - the Câmara, or the GNR. The Câmara should have a dog catcher and kennel for these dogs.
> Is there usually a reporting approach to take that they appreciate?
> (I was thinking of taking pictures of them and noting down the place on a
> map).
It will be accepted, but probably not be acted upon
>
> Any help for me and the dogs appreciated please...
Take a stick and a loud voice with you. Portuguese dogs are afraid of humans (guess why)
New laws were passed last year, but are unlikely to be enforced.

All dogs are supposed to be chipped, vaccinated and registered with the Junta. They should be on a lead or with a muzzle. There are fines which can be imposed if the GNR decide to check the papers of dog owners instead of those of car drivers.

You should not feed feral dogs. If you you may be considered their owner and will need to chip and vaccinate them.

It is recognised that there is a big problem with feral dogs, but so far the official response has only been only, laws and not action.

I have a dog which I walk every day. From time to time my regular routes are closed by such dogs. Sometimes , but not always, it is because a bitch is on season, and the male ferals are attracted,

Kindness towards animals in Portugal is a relatively new concept. It is catching on, but like racial intolerance in N Europe, will take a generation or more to be resolved. I freely admit to some racial prejudice, but that is how I was brought up, and it will most likely never go away. The same applies to animal treatment here in Portugal.

Alan

Doesn't sound good 😒 

I also take a stick when I walk and dogs don't get too close. I've also spoken to the owner of a particularly annoying dog and she seems to have trained her dog to stay within her land. When I'm cycling, all the local dogs nearby get excited and I can hear barking all around me. 

In rural areas it is common for dogs to be kept chained up on the property which is apparently illegal. I wouldn't bother going down the route of notifying the authorities, as it will be time-consuming and not necessarily generate results.

By the way I find the connection made between treatment of dogs and racism totally ludicrous.

Couldn`t agree more. I have built a house in a nice urbanisation in the Algarve.

But only after I moved in did I come to realise just how many other owners that work all day, leave dogs in the gardens. These dogs bark all day one or the other, I am surrounded by them, at front and back of house. One house is in fact for sale and the owners dont live there but come every week I guess to presumably clear up the dog mess and supply food !!! This cruelty just amazes me, these dogs just sleep all day, when they are not barking.

Difficult to talk to the owners, and those i have couldnt care less.

Am wondering if I should complain to the GNR, but do hear that they are not interested despite it being against the laws of `peaceful existence` being ignored